Kaiping Chikan Ancient Town, Jiangmen

A seriously underrated treasure town near Guangzhou, reachable within an hour by high-speed rail.
Here you can find century-old arcade buildings blending Lingnan traditional architectural style with Western elements, gondola boats like those in Jiangnan, and the occasional ding-ding tram passing through the streets. At night, there are intangible cultural heritage performances such as iron flower shows and fireworks, instantly transporting you back to the Republic of China era.
Kaiping Chikan Ancient Town in Jiangmen is a tourist destination full of historical and cultural charm. Below is a detailed travel guide:

Transportation Guide

- High-speed rail: Direct trains to Kaiping South Station are available from Guangzhou South Station and Shenzhen North Station, with the fastest trip taking 1 hour. After exiting the station, you can take the free Kaiping 5A tourist shuttle line to the ancient town, running in a loop daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Chikan Ancient Town Visitor Center." A large parking lot supports QR code payment, with a reference fee of 10 RMB/day. New energy vehicles can use the dedicated charging area in the scenic spot.

Ticket Information

- Price: Adult tickets are 150 RMB per person, concession tickets 75 RMB per person. Tickets are valid for one day with one-time entry on the day of purchase.

Must-Visit Attractions and Activities

- Dixi Road Arcade Street: The light and shadow at 7 a.m. are perfect for shooting empty scenes. In the evening, you can sit on the stone benches under the arcade to enjoy the sunset. The second-floor terrace at the intersection of Zhonghua East Road and Dixi Road offers a deep perspective view of the arcade street.
- Retro Ding-Ding Tram: 50 RMB per person for a 30-minute tour around the core area of the ancient town. You can sit on the tram to photograph the arcades on both sides and soak in the vintage atmosphere.
- Gondola Boat Tour: 80 RMB per person. Drift leisurely along the waterways, admiring the reflections of the arcades and European-style arcades. The afternoon light is ideal for photography.
- Peace Square: The square features a church and a flock of white pigeons. Bring some small bread to feed the pigeons for a very atmospheric experience, as if you were in Europe.
- Performances: The ancient town offers multiple shows such as "The Way Home," "Fire Show," "Modern Times," and "A Special Wedding." You can check show times and locations in advance via the mini-program "Chikan Service." The iron flower performance is especially spectacular and not to be missed.

Food Recommendations

- Restaurant Cuisine: Choose from Nanhuan Restaurant, Meitang Hotel, Changsheng Restaurant, and others to taste specialty dishes of the Wuyi cuisine, such as eel rice and lychee wood roasted goose.
- Specialty Snacks: Visit food hubs like Niuwu Road Snack Street, Zhonghua West Road, and Dixi Road to try claypot rice, tofu triangles, Magang beef skin, Kaiping family glutinous rice cakes, and other snacks.

Accommodation Suggestions

- Inside the Ancient Town: You can stay in unique guesthouses renovated from century-old arcade buildings. Some courtyards retain vintage elements like old gramophones and rickshaws, allowing you to deeply experience the Republic of China style.
- Surrounding Countryside: Tangkou Town has many artistic guesthouses with windows opening to rice fields. Some also offer free bicycle rentals, perfect for travelers who enjoy a slow pace.